ACT ONE
FADE IN:
EXT. SPACE - BEFORE THE WORMHOLE
As before. Enterprise and Ti'Mur are facing away from the swirling vortex of the wormhole with the Vulcan ship's tractor beam locked securely upon the human craft. Multi-hued streams of color flash through the azure cloud like ribbons of lightning.
T'POL (VO)
Status report continues. Sub-Commander T'Pol reporting.
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE
Archer is now on his feet and leaning over Ensign Mayweather's shoulder so he can see the readouts on the younger man's console. On the main viewer is a realtime image of Colonel Vanik. As we enter the scene, the Vulcan captain is already speaking.
VANIK
My chief engineer reports that we will be unable to hold this position indefinitely.
(off Archer's look)
The strain on our engines-
ARCHER
(interrupting)
Understood.
(beat, off Travis' board)
Keep an eye on those thrusters.
MAYWEATHER
(tense)
Aye, sir.
T'POL (VO)
As I have stated previously, the human drive for knowledge is, at once, both inspiring and frustrating.
The hiss of the turbolift door announces the arrival of SUB-COMMANDER T'POL and Commander Tucker. Both officers move toward their respective stations without hesitation, although Trip actually sprints while the Vulcan appears to walk almost without hurry.
ARCHER
(to Trip)
What are you doing here?
TUCKER
Kelby has it covered right now.
(as he takes over the damage control board)
And I had an idea.
ARCHER
I hope it's a damned good idea.
Archer gives T'Pol a look as she replaces Lieutenant Garla without a word. Over the captain's shoulder, we can see that Colonel Vanik appears to be listening to something being related to him from offscreen.
TUCKER
So do I.
(off his data)
If we bring up the warp field, I think it'll let us get clear of this thing!
T'POL
We have no way of knowing that, Commander.
The Vulcan is now studying her board and is speaking to Trip without looking in his direction.
TUCKER
What?
T'POL
Your theory is based on unfounded assumptions that-
TUCKER
(interrupting)
Unfounded!
T'POL (CONT'D)
-may have exactly the reverse effect.
TUCKER
(hot)
Do you have a better idea?
ARCHER
(loud)
Enough! We don't have time for this right now!
(to Trip)
Explain.
TUCKER
Warp physics 101, sir.
(beat)
If we bring up the warp field, it'll give us a lower mass signature which will allow the impulse engines to carry us clear of the wormhole.
T'POL
Alternatively, the gravitational pull of the anomaly could pull us in even more quickly since the mass signature is reduced.
Trip shoots her a frustrated look and we can see Vanik observing the exchange with a raised eyebrow.
TUCKER
Why the hell would that happen?
(off her glance)
It would go against everything we know about warp physics!
The Vulcan finally looks at the engineer, giving him a flat look with an uplifted eyebrow.
T'POL
This anomaly already goes against everything we know about physics, Commander.
(beat)
Assuming that it will conform to known science is not only illogical but dangerous.
A BEAT passes as Trip glowers at her, clearly unable to counter that point.
T'POL (VO)
Equally fascinating is their ability to adapt to change at a pace that is often mistaken for irrationality.
Archer gives a quick glance around the bridge, noting the barely concealed fear on ENSIGN SATO'S face and the controlled expression on MAJOR REED'S face. Mayweather, on the other hand, is too busy focusing his attention on his controls to react to the argument. Finally, the captain nods.
ARCHER
Alright. We'll try that.
(to T'Pol)
Unless you have a better idea, Sub-Commander.
(off her look, to Vanik)
Colonel-
INT. TI'MUR - BRIDGE
The Vulcan colonel looks in T'Lyr's direction, his expression demanding an immediate response. He interrupts Archer with a question to his own science officer.
VANIK
(in Vulcan)
[Sub-commander, what is your assessment?]
For a BEAT, T'Lyr looks away, busying herself with the console before her as if she were examining data.
T'POL (VO)
To a Vulcan, the speed with which many humans make decisions often appears unduly reckless.
As T'Lyr's eyes move over the small monitors, we notice a flicker of emotion cross her face: discomfort. We can't help but to get the idea that she appears out of her depth.
T'LYR
(also in Vulcan)
[I...I concur with Commander] Tucker.
(off her data, more confidently)
[Extending the warp field around Enterprise has the highest probability of success.]
Vanik studies his science officer for a BEAT with a measuring look in his eyes before returning his attention to the viewscreen.
VANIK
(to Archer)
Captain, I propose that Ti'Mur move closer to your position.
Archer's surprise is as apparent as T'Lyr's.
VANIK (CONT'D)
By combining our efforts and merging our warp fields, the chance for success is increased.
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE
We focus on Captain Archer's expression for a BEAT as he absorbs the offer. He is clearly struggling with the idea and is openly surprised at the colonel's readiness to put his own ship into harm's way.
T'POL (VO)
As I have discovered, however, humans are just as capable of utilizing logic in their decision-making processes as Vulcans.
Archer glances away, a conflicted expression on his face.
ARCHER
No...
(beat)
No. We don't know if this will even work and I don't want to lose two ships if it fails.
Vanik raises an eyebrow and inclines his head slightly.
VANIK
Very well.
(beat)
We will stand ready to provide assistance if possible.
(beat)
Ti'Mur out.
The screen blanks out, returning the viewer to an image of the swirling wormhole. Archer retakes his command chair and begins securing himself with the integrated restraints. As we PAN around him, we can see Commander Tucker and Sub-Commander T'Pol doing the same.
ARCHER
Hoshi, sound collision.
The ensign reacts instantly, pressing a button on her board and speaking into her comm.
SATO
All hands, brace for impact.
An alarm that we've not heard before sounds and we...
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE - MAIN ENGINEERING
As the collision alarm sounds, the engineers are scrambling toward safety harnesses along the wall. We see LIEUTENANT KELBY as he is shouting at his people.
KELBY
(shouting)
Move it, people! Move it!
SATO (COMM. VOICE)
Repeat, brace for impact.
Kelby begins to buckle himself into his own safety harness, his eyes riveted on the engineering team as he makes sure that all of them are in their proper places.
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE - SICKBAY
DOCTORS LUCAS and PHLOX are already strapped into impact seats that appear to have folded down from the wall for emergencies such as this. Unsurprisingly, the Denobulan is looking around with a smile but, oddly, Lucas looks remarkably chipper himself as he gives a glance to two enlisted med-techs who are seated and secured as well. Both of them appear more than a little worried.
SATO (COMM. VOICE)
Department heads report when ready.
LUCAS
(smirking)
Bet they never told you about this during training, huh?
One of the med-techs gives him an almost disgusted look before tightening his grip on the restraints that are holding him in place. At the look, Lucas snorts in open amusement, as Phlox reaches toward a comm. panel and depresses a button.
PHLOX
Sickbay reports ready.
Off that, we...
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE
Ensign Sato looks up from her board, eyes wide.
SATO
All departments report ready.
ARCHER
Right.
(beat, to Trip)
Bring up the warp field.
At his command, Tucker exhales audibly and manipulates his console.
EXT. SPACE - BEFORE THE WORMHOLE
Enterprise is still being tractored by Ti'Mur, and, for a BEAT, we can see the mostly transparent outline of the warp field flicker into existence. The ship is backlit by the brilliant wormhole, an indication that we wouldn't normally see this.
SUDDENLY, Enterprise shudders and begins sliding toward the wormhole! As we see this, we can see that Ti'Mur, still tethered to the EX-01 by the tractor beam, is also being drawn toward the wormhole!
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE
Once more, alarms are screaming as junction boxes explode. The entire bridge appears to be shaking like mad.
T'POL
(urgent)
Rate of descent is increasing! Shut down the warp field!
Commander Tucker is reacting to the command before T'Pol is even finished speaking.
EXT. SPACE - BEFORE THE WORMHOLE
The almost transparent outline of the warp field blinks out of existence and we can see the impulse engines of Ti'Mur suddenly flare even brighter than before as the Vulcan cruiser struggles against the pull of gravity. As we PUSH IN toward the Ti'Mur, we can hear the ship's engines whining in protest.
INT. TI'MUR - BRIDGE
As aboard Enterprise, alarms are sounding but, unlike the human ship, these alerts are not blaring or loud. Though they conceal it behind their masks of dispassion, the assembled bridge crew is clearly concerned; however, if the quick looks they keep shooting toward their commanding officer is any indication.
VULCAN ENGINEER (COMM. VOICE)
(in Vulcan)
[Engineering to bridge.]
An image of poise and control, the Vulcan colonel responds with no hint of concern.
VANIK
[This is Vanik.]
VULCAN ENGINEER (COMM. VOICE)
[Colonel, reactor is now running at one hundred percent and exceeds safety parameters.]
The colonel glances toward T'Lyr who has a look of fear on her face; she appears to be trying to conceal her emotions but isn't doing a very good job right now.
VANIK
[Increase reactor output to one hundred and ten percent.]
T'LYR
[Colonel!]
(off his look)
[Deactivating the tractor beam will ease the strain on the reactor substantially! I recommend that we do so immediately!]
Vanik studies her for a BEAT.
VANIK
[Maintain tractor beam lock.]
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE
Those alarms are still flashing but appear to have been muted. The vibration that we saw earlier is still evident but much less pronounced now. As he unbuckles his restraints, Archer glances in Trip's direction.
ARCHER
Report!
Before Tucker can speak, the Vulcan sub-commander is answering.
T'POL
Enterprise has been drawn to zero point nine light seconds from the event threshold. We are still being drawn closer to the horizon.
(off Archer's look)
Ti'Mur is also being drawn into the event, but at a slightly slower rate.
ARCHER
(demanding)
What happened?
TUCKER
(angry)
Exactly what T'Pol warned us about.
(beat, anguished)
I've killed us.
The captain gives him a look.
ARCHER
We're not dead yet, Trip.
(to T'Pol)
How long until we reach the event threshold?
T'POL
I cannot make an accurate estimate based on sensor readings.
ARCHER
(tight)
Then give me your best guess, dammit!
The Vulcan sub-commander lifts an eyebrow at his tone but considers for a BEAT.
T'POL
Thirty-four minutes.
And, off that grim pronouncement, we...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
Continue to Act Two
